Senate subcommittee advances S.287 to restrict unapproved vaping products, citing youth use and enforcement gaps

The South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee voted to advance S.287, a bill to regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems, after hearing several hours of testimony from law enforcement, educators, local officials and industry representatives.

Senate President Alexander, who sponsored or supported the measure, told the committee the Senate previously passed similar legislation 45-0 in the prior session and urged lawmakers to act swiftly to protect children.

The bill would create a state process to register manufacturers and require documentation that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized a product before it may be sold in South Carolina. Supporters said state action is necessary because some products come through international supply chains and federal enforcement is slow or uneven.

“Last year the Senate passed this legislation, similar legislation…45 to 0,” President Alexander said in opening remarks, urging the subcommittee to take up the measure. Law-enforcement and local officials and school personnel described acute local…